Bombay HC orders Udta Punjab release with one cut

Monday, Jun 13, 2016

The Bombay High Court on Monday ordered the Censor board to clear Udta Punjab with just one cut and issue a fresh certificate to movie in two days. The court also rejected board’s demand to stay the release of the film.

Talking to media after the verdict, producer Anurag Kahsyap’s lawyer said its a vindication of democracy. “We have to delete only one scene (urination). It is a vindication of democracy,” said the lawyer.

The court earlier observed that the CBFC does not have power to censor films. It said that cuts suggested should be in consonance with Constitution and earlier Supreme Court orders.

Udta Punjab is a movie depicting the drug menace based in a place. There is no mention of the word ‘censor’ in board. Board should use its powers as per Constitution and Supreme Court’s directions,” the bench observed.

Udta Punjab has been facing controversy ever since CBFC Chief Pahlaj Nihalani ordered 13 cuts, which included cutting down references to Punjab, elections, political parties and the reference in the name of the film.

Anurag Kashyap, one of the producers of the film, appealed to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), after a Bombay high court order helped them receive the official letter from the CBFC informing them about the cuts.